Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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I
CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR A CONTAINER AND DISPENSING CLOSURE
The present invention relates to a closure system for a container, in
particular for bottles, wherein
the closure system comprises a dispensing closure and a spout of a container
or a spout for a
container to which the dispensing closure can be attached. The dispensing
closure is designed as
a so-called rebounding closure or snap-on closure (Prellverschluss), so that
it essentially can be
placed or forcibly pressed upon a spout of a container with a dispensing
opening in essentially a
straight line or in an axial direction, wherein two interacting elements, one
on the spout and the
other on the dispensing closure, are shifted by or over one another due to
their flexibility
afforded by the material itself or the geometry of the elements, so that the
dispensing closure can
only be taken off, removed or detached with difficulty, meaning only by
exerting a certain force,
also in the axial direction.
Such closure systems and in particular dispensing closures are known in a
variety of forms, and
usually made out of a plastic material; however, they can also be made out of
other materials,
e.g., metals. Rebounding closure devices are also known in a variety of forms.
The advantage to
such rebounding closures is that they can be mounted relatively easily
by'pressing a dispensing
closure onto a spout with a dispensing opening in essentially an axial
direction.
After the container with closure system has been used, the dispensing closure
typically remains
on the dispensing opening, so that the dispensing closure remains on the
container during
recycling, even if the latter is made out of varying materials.
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1a
Some embodiments disclosed herein relate to a closure system that comprises a
dispensing closure and a spout of a container or for a container, on which the
dispensing closure can be attached, wherein the dispensing closure is a
rebounding
closure, wherein the spout comprises an essentially cylindrical dispensing
element
with a dispensing opening, an outside of which is provided with at least one
threaded
segment, and the dispensing closure comprises an essentially cylindrical snap-
on
pipe, an inner side of which is provided with at least one threaded segment
for
interacting with the at least one threaded segment of the dispensing opening,
wherein an outside of the dispensing element is provided with at least one
forcing
element, which interacts with the snap-on pipe so as to force the dispensing
closure
to move in an axial direction when turning the dispensing closure attached to
the
spout, so that the at least one threaded segment of the snap-on pipe is
pressed over
the at least one threaded segment of the dispensing element, thereby releasing
the
dispensing closure from the spout.
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According to the invention, the spout of a container with a dispensing opening
is designed in
such a way that a dispensing closure can be attached to the latter. Let it be
pointed out at this
juncture that the closure system according to the invention in many instances
comprises a
complete container, or the container is provided as a single piece with the
spout and the
dispensing opening. However, it is also possible for the closure system not to
comprise a
complete container, but only the spout with a dispensing opening, potentially
accompanied by a
shoulder area, possibly with an intermediate or partial product, such as a
hose, which is only
welded in a subsequent procedure, thereby forming a closed container, for
example in the form
of a tube. It is also possible to prepare a spout element with a dispensing
opening that is only
later joined or attached to a container, for example via welding or any other
possible attachment
methods.
According to the invention, the spout comprises an essentially cylindrical
dispensing element
with a dispensing opening, wherein the outside of the dispensing element is
provided with at
least one threaded segment. A shoulder area is preferably provided around the
dispensing
element.
The dispensing of the closure system according to the invention comprises an
essentially
cylindrical snap-on pipe, which is designed in such a way that it can comprise
the dispensing
element of the spout if the dispensing closure is attached to the dispensing
opening, wherein the
inside of the dispensing closure exhibits at least one threaded segment.
According to the invention, the outside of the dispensing element, preferably
a shoulder area, is
provided with a so-called forcing device, which is designed so as to interact
with the snap-on
pipe of the dispensing closure in such a way that the dispensing closure is
forced to move in an
axial direction when the dispensing closure attached to the spout is turned,
thereby pressing the
at least one threaded segment of the snap-on pipe over the at least one
threaded segment of the
dispensing element, detaching the dispensing closure from the spout.
The advantage to such a closure system is that, in order to detach a
dispensing closure in the
form of a rebounding closure, meaning to separate the dispensing closure from
the spout or the
container with the spout, by means of a rotational motion that is
significantly easier to perform
than an axial removal motion, a force can also be exerted in an axial
direction on the dispensing
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closure relative to the spout and container, that the rebounding closure is
released, i.e., the two
interacting elements that hold the dispensing closure on the spout or
dispensing element or entire
container are also guided over each other in an axial direction against the
direction of force,
thereby releasing the rebounding closure.
In conventional rebounding closures, a force must be exerted on the dispensing
closure
exclusively in an axial direction to release the dispensing closure, which is
appreciably more
difficult for a user, in particular in closure devices whose outer shape is
very much tailored to the
outer shape of the container itself, so that there is virtually no way of
exerting this relative, axial
force between the two elements, dispensing closure on the one hand and
container or spout on
the other, or finding an approach for exerting the axial force.
In addition, the rotational motion is the motion the user is familiar with
from conventional
screwed connections, and will hence automatically use, automatically resulting
in a release of the
i5 rebounding closure, wherein the user only has to exert a limited force
solely in the rotational
direction, automatically generating a conversion of force in the axial
direction.
Therefore, the closure system combines the advantages of two fundamentally
different closure
system, specifically a rebounding closure on the one hand, and a rotary
closure on the other, in
particular in such a way that, when placing the dispensing closure on the
container, for example
after filling or while manufacturing the dispensing closure or container, the
closure can be
snapped on, in a manner very easy to demonstrate mechanically, while the
dispensing closure
can generally be removed more easily by the user from the container or spout
prior to recycling
or after use of the container essentially by means of a rotational motion,
which is more easily
executed during manual operation. The two advantages have previously always
been viewed as
incompatible, so that the user or manufacturer had to decide on one of the
closure types.
A dispensing element preferably comprises two threaded segments, while a
dispensing closure of
a system according to the invention just as preferably comprises at least two
threaded segments.
These threaded segments are preferably arranged one opposite the other in the
circumferential
direction. The advantage to this is that it ensures a clear and reliably
sustained positioning of the
individual elements relative to each other over the entire circumference on
the one hand, while
simultaneously ensuring a uniform retaining or releasing force. The plurality
of segments also
ensures a more precisely defined positioning of the individual elements
relative to each other.
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The dispensing element preferably also comprises at least two forcing
elements, which are
preferably ramp-like in design. These forcing elements are also situated in
essentially opposing
positions in the circumferential direction in the preferred embodiment. The
forcing elements can
exhibit different shapes, for example, be essentially triangular viewed in a
radial direction, while
they exhibit a thickness or expansion in the radial direction that is greater
than the corresponding
radial expansion of the snap-on pipe. The correspondingly adjusted radial
expansion of the
forcing elements on the one hand and the snap-on pipe on the other ensures
that the snap-on pipe
and forcing element or forcing elements can interact in the manner described
above, preventing
the snap-on pipe, for example, from lying in a different position in its
radial direction, thereby
possibly not allowing it to interact with the forcing element(s).
The forcing element preferably has a ramp-like design at least on one side,
wherein varying
gradients can be provided, again viewed from a radial direction.
A gradient of the forcing element viewed in a radial direction from outside is
preferably smaller
on the left side than on the right side. The advantage to this is that, when
the dispensing closure
is turned relative to the container or spout in a counterclockwise direction,
the usual rotational
direction for opening a rotary closure, the snap-on pipe or a recess of a snap-
on pipe can be
guided along this gradient, wherein this gradient then determines the ratio
between rotational
angle to axial movement.
If a very high gradient is provided on the right side, meaning for a case
where the dispensing
closure is turned in the clockwise direction, the typical rotational direction
for closing a rotary
closure, which is preferably the case, for example, up to a perpendicular, or
axially progressing
gradient, movement in a clockwise direction is prevented or at least greatly
impeded, while a
counterclockwise movement for releasing the dispensing closure is assisted.
A gradient of the forcing element is preferably selected on the left side
(again viewed radially
from outside) that ranges between 20 and 60 , preferably between 30 and 50 ,
and in a
particularly preferred embodiment from approx. 40 to 45 . By contrast, a
gradient is preferably
selected on the right side that is clearly higher, preferably 60 to 90 ,
preferably 75 to 89 .
While a perpendicular gradient is also possible, a gradient is selected that
at least partially lies
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below 90 to help "thread" while placing on the dispensing closure, Naturally,
this can be
provided in exactly the opposite or mirror-inverted manner as well.
It should also be pointed out that the gradient on each side of the forcing
element van vary,
5 meaning it absolutely odes not have to be constant. In the case of changing
gradients even on one
side of the forcing element, the aforementioned statements apply for preferred
embodiments
relative to at least one partial area or one point on the respective side of
the forcing element.
The cylindrical snap-on pipe preferably comprises at least one recess, which
is designed in such
a way that it can at least partially accommodate or envelop at least one
forcing device, in
particular given a radially outward view of the closure system. The recess is
preferably similar or
complementary in design to the forcing element, so that reference can be made
to the above
statements with regard to the gradients.
The at least one recess of the cylindrical snap-on pipe, again viewed from
outside in a radial
direction, is essentially triangular, possibly with rounded edges or a rounded
upper edge, wherein
one side of the recess, at least a partial area, is inclined more steeply than
the other side of the
recess, wherein reference is here also made to the above statements.
In another preferred embodiment, the at least one threaded segment of the
dispensing element
has a gradient of approx. 2 to approx. 20 , preferably from roughly 5 to
approx. 15 , wherein
the gradient measures roughly 10 in an especially preferred embodiment. A
preferred
embodiment further provides an additional partial area on the at least one
threaded segment that
exhibits a gradient of roughly 0 , meaning runs essentially horizontal. The
advantage to this
configuration in particular is that, in cases where there is a certain
clearance between the
dispensing closure on the one hand and spout or dispensing opening on the
other for essentially
manufacturing-related reasons, which enables an easy relative rotation of the
two elements
relative to each other, the latter does not automatically result in a
suspension of the dispensing
closure, meaning an axial relative motion between the dispensing closure and
contanier or
dispensing element.
The invention further relates to a dispensing closure for a closure system of
the kind described
above.
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A dispensing closure according to the invention for a closure system is
designed as a so-called
rebounding closure, and comprises an essentially cylindrical snap-on pipe, the
inside of which is
provided with at least one threaded segment.
The essentially cylindrical jacket of the snap-on pipe exhibits at least one
recess, wherein this
recess is provided on the inner side or the side of the jacket of the snap-on
pipe facing the
container. The closure edge of the lower area of the snap-on pipe or the area
facing the container
preferably runs essentially horizontal, wherein the term horizontal is
understood as a directly
perpendicular to an axial direction of the dispensing closure or perpendicular
to a dispensing
opening of an accompanying container (if the dispensing closure is placed on a
container). In
conventional containers or bottles, the terms horizontal and vertical hence
correspond to the
actual horizontal and vertical conditions existing when a dispensing closure
is placed on a
container, and the latter is standing on a solid base, with the dispensing
opening facing up, for
example. However, the dispensing closure according to the invention and
closure system
according to the invention are of course applicable to any other containers,
for example on tubes
with a dispensing closure that can be placed on the dispensing closure itself,
with the dispensing
opening facing down.
According to the invention, the at least one recess of the dispensing closure
is designed in such a
way that, proceeding from the lower edge of the jacket of the snap-on pipe,
the recess progress in
such a way that a gradient to the horizontal smaller than 90 is present on
the one side, and is less
than the gradient on the opposing side, at least in a point or an area of the
respective gradient.
Let it be understood in this conjunction that the sides of the recesses
exhibit two opposing
gradient areas, which are separated from each other either by a vertex or a
vertex area that runs
essentially horizontal over a certain area, or meet or converge at this
vertex/vertex area.
While the two gradient areas can preferably run along a straight line at least
over a partial area, it
is also possible for the gradient to change once, several times, or even
continuously at specific
points of the gradient area. The at least one recess is preferably designed in
such a way that the
gradient on the one side up to the vertex or vertex area is always (or at
least over a large area)
smaller than or equal to the gradient of the opposing area, wherein the two
opposing gradients
are always compared at points that oppose each other in a horizontal
direction, i.e., lie on points
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along a line running parallel to the plane that is always clamped by the lower
edge of a
cylindrical snap-on pipe (not taking into account the recess itself), or
parallel to a plane
perpendicular to the dispensing opening or dispensing direction.
The recess is preferably configured in such a way that two areas can be
distinguished in a
vertical direction, wherein the opposing flanks or recess areas exhibit an
identical gradient in an
upper area, meaning in an area starting at the vertex or vertex area, so that
the recess in this area
is preferably mirror-symmetrical in design relative to a vertical axis, which
runs through the
vertex or middle of the vertex area, while the recess, in an area located
below in a vertical
direction, meaning facing away from the vertex or vertex area of the recess
and lying close to the
lower jacket of the cylindrical snap-on pipe, exhibits a lower gradient on one
side of the recess
than the other recess, preferably a distinctly lower gradient. The gradient of
this one area is
preferably 50% lower than the gradient of the opposing area, with the gradient
being half or even
less the size.
Let it be noted at this juncture that the term gradient refers solely to the
absolute values, the
amount, meaning the progression of the lower edge of the snap-on pipe in the
area of the recess
relative to the horizontal, meaning relative to the plane defined by the lower
terminating edge of
the snap-on pipe, in an area that has no recess, regardless of the direction,
meaning regardless of
whether the height of the recess increases clockwise or counterclockwise.
The side of the recess where the gradient is greater at least at one point
than on the opposing area
preferably exhibits a gradient ranging from 60 to 90 , especially preferred
from 75 to 90 ,
wherein areas very close to the vertical, but not quite vertical, are
selected, especially between
80 and 89 , in particular ranging from 84 to 88 .
This very strong gradient near the vertical ensures in particular that the
dispensing closure is not
inadvertently turned in an undesired direction, in particular against the
releasing direction.
In an especially preferred embodiment, the dispensing closure comprises at
least two recesses of
the kind described above, wherein these recesses are preferably arranged
opposite each other in
essentially the circumferential direction of the snap-on pipe. This ensures an
especially reliable
positioning of the dispensing closure on a corresponding spout or on a
corresponding dispensing
opening of a container, and hence a container itself.
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While it is also possible to provide more than 2 recesses, for example 3 or 4
recesses, a smaller
number of recesses increases the stability of the essentially cylindrical snap-
on pipe, of course
depending on the respective material selected, in particular with regard to an
essentially radial
expansion, so that a lower number of recesses is preferred.
Therefore, 2 recesses are preferred, since they combine the two aforementioned
aspects in a
particularly effective manner.
At least one recess is preferably designed in such a way in the vertical or
axial direction that it
extends over at least 50%, preferably over more than 60%, 70% or even more
than 80% or 90%
of the vertical extension of the jacket of the cylindrical snap-on pipe. While
several embodiments
can even provide that the recess extend over the entire area of the jacket of
the snap-on pipe, at
least a small web area or connecting area must also always preferably be
provided between the
parts of the jacket that are "separated" from each other by the at least one
recess in the jacket
area.
In a preferred embodiment, the dispensing closure further comprises a sealing
cone designed
within the snap-on pipe, preferably concentrically, with which a dispensing
opening in a spout of
2o a container can be sealed.
Use is preferably made of dispensing closures that comprise a closure body and
hinged cover,
which is hinged to the closure body. Of course, use can be made of other
dispensing closures too,
such as so-called "disk-top- closures.
These and other advantages and features of the invention can be gleaned from
the attached
drawings, which depict especially advantageous embodiments. Shown on:
Fig. I is a partially cut side view of an embodiment of a dispensing closure
for a closure system
according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a partially cut front view of the dispensing closure shown on Fig.
1;
Fig. 3 is a side view of a spout based on an embodiment of a closure system
according to the
invention;
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Fig. 4 is the spout shown on Fig. 3 in another side view, specifically in a
view turned by 90 by
comparison to Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a partially cut side view of a closure system according to an
embodiment with a
dispensing closure of the kind depicted on Fig. 1 and 2, and with a spout as
depicted on
Fig. 3 and 4;
Fig. 6 is the embodiment shown on Fig. 5 in a partially cut view, but cut in
other planes than
depicted on Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a partially cut view of the embodiment depicted on Fig. 1 to
6,wherein the dispensing
closure is turned relative to the spout by a specific angle;
Fig. 8 is another embodiment of a dispensing closure according to the
invention in a view
depicted on Fig. I relative to the first embodiment; and
Fig. 9 is another embodiment of a spout according to the invention of a
closure system based on
the invention in the view depicted on Fig. 3 relative to the first embodiment.
Fig. I shows a partially cut side view of a dispensing closure 100, which
comprises a closure
body 200 and a cover 400, which is pivoted to the closure body 200 with a
hinge 300. The
closure body 200, which can be attached to a spout of a container with a
dispensing opening (see
in particular Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, along with the following description),
comprises a snap-on pipe
220 with an essentially cylindrical jacket, the lower end of which ends in an
essentially
horizontally running terminating edge 224.
The inside of the snap-on pipe 220 is provided with 2 threaded segments 222,
which can interact
with accompanying threaded segments (622, see Fig. 3 and 4) of a spout of a
container.
The snap-on pipe 220 exhibits two recesses 240 (only one visible on Fig. 1),
which are arranged
opposite each other in the circumferential direction of the snap-on pipe 220.
The special shape of
the recesses 240 will be described below in particular with regard to Fig. 6.
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The closure body 200 further comprises a sealing cone 280, which, while being
attached to a
container or a spout, extends into a dispensing opening and seals it, see in
particular Fig. 5.
Fig. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment depicted on Fig. 1. Clearly
visible here in particular
is one of the threaded segments 222, which exhibits a gradient of approx. 10 .
Let it also be
noted at this juncture that the two recesses 240 on Fig. 2 are essentially
located on the right or
left side, even though difficult to see in light of the partially cut view,
but provided with
reference numbers.
Fig. 3 shows a side view of a spout of a closure system according to the
invention, onto which a
dispensing closure of the kind depicted on Fig. I and 2 can be placed.
The spout 600 of a container (not shown) comprises a dispensing opening 620,
which is
enveloped or formed by an essentially cylindrical neck area 610, the outside
of which is provided
with threaded segments 622, which interact with the accompanying threaded
segments 222 of the
dispensing closure 200 when the dispensing closure 100 (see Fig. 1) is
attached to the spout 600.
The spout 600 of the closure system according to this embodiment comprises 2
forcing devices
640, arranged in opposing positions in the circumferential direction of the
neck area 610 and on a
shoulder area 680 of the spout 600. Each of the forcing devices 640 comprises
a first side 650
and a second side 660, which are separated from each other by a vertex 642 or
a vertex area. The
gradient of the first side 650 runs essentially uniformly until shortly before
the vertex, and
exhibits a gradient of roughly 80 . The gradient of the second side also runs
essentially along a
straight line, but flattens out markedly before the vertex 642. The gradient
of the second side 660
relative to the uniformly proceeding area preferably extending over approx.
60% to 90%, in
particular 80% to 90% of the length of the second side 660 measures roughly 45
.
The function of these forcing devices as they interact with the snap-on pipe
in the area of the
recesses becomes evident in particular in conjunction with Fig. 7, and will be
explained below.
Fig. 4 shows the spout as depicted on Fig. 3, but turned by 90 , meaning
viewed from the right or
left relative to Fig. 3. Clearly visible here are the two threaded segments
622 on the one side, as
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well as the first side 650 of one of the forcing devices 640 along with the
second side 660 of the
other forcing device 640.
Also clearly evident on Fig. 4 is the expansion of the forcing devices 440 in
a radial direction b,
which in this embodiment measures approx. 3 millimeters, and typically lies
between 2 and 4
millimeters in other preferred embodiments, thereby ensuring that the forcing
elements 640 with
the accompanying elements of the snap-on pipe 220 interact, in particular as
shown on Fig. 7.
Fig. 5 shows a partially cut view of both the dispensing closure 100 and the
spout 600, so that
reference is made to the description for Fig. I to 4 as relates to the
individual elements.
Clearly evident on Fig. 5 is the interaction between the snap-on pipe 220 and
its threaded
segments 222 on the one hand and the neck area 610 with its threaded segments
622 on the other,
thereby ensuring a reliable attachment of the dispensing closure on the spout.
Since the
dispensing closure involves a so-called rebounding closure, the closure system
depicted on Fig. 5
is assembled by simply slipping or pressing or snapping the dispensing closure
100 onto the
spout 600 from above in essentially an axial direction, during which the snap-
on pipe 220 can
expand in a radial direction, in particular owing to the recesses, so that the
threaded segments
222 of the snap-on pipe 220 are pressed over the threaded segments 622 of the
neck area 610.
Fig. 6 shows the embodiment depicted on Fig. 5, but with a partially cut area
that deviates from
Fig. 5. Clearly evident on Fig. 6 is the relative positioning and interaction
of one of the recesses
240 of the snap-on pipe 220 with the accompanying forcing element 640.
Let it be noted at this juncture that the first side 250 of the recess 240 on
the right side of Fig. 6
interacts with a corresponding gradient of the first side 650 of the forcing
element 640 with a
very high gradient of roughly 80 , thereby impeding or even preventing a
clockwise rotational
motion of the dispensing closure, so that the first side 250 of the recess 240
moves toward the
first side 250 of the forcing element 640, while enabling a counterclockwise
expansion of the
dispensing closure, since a slighter gradient 264 of the recess 240 interacts
with the slighter
gradient on the second side 660 of the forcing element 640, so that turning
the dispensing closure
counterclockwise presses up the dispensing closure in an axial direction as
well, as depicted in
particular on Fig. 7 described below.
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While Fig. 7 shows the embodiment depicted on Fig. 6, a counterclockwise
rotation of the
dispensing closure 100 has already taken place by comparison to the attachment
position
presented on Fig. 6 (top view). As clearly evident, the interaction between
the gradient 260, and
in particular the partial area 264 of the gradient 260, the recess 240 and the
accompanying or
complementary gradient of the second side 660 of the forcing element 640'
causes the dispensing
closure to also be pressed up with a continuous rotational motion. This
movement presses the
threaded segments 222 of the snap-on pipe 220 over the threaded segments 622
of the neck area
610 of the spout, as enabled by the flexibility of the snap-on pipe 220, which
is also caused by
the recess 240 itself.
In this way, it can be ensured that a counterclockwise rotational motion of
the dispensing
closure, meaning in the usual opening direction, also exerts a force in the
axial direction, which
automatically separates the dispensing closure 100 designed as a rebounding
closure from the
spout or the container. Of course, it is also possible to design the
dispensing closure and spout in
such a way as to achieve a separation during a clockwise rotation, as
described above.
Fig. 8 and 9 depict another embodiment of a dispensing closure according to
the invention for a
closure system according to the invention and a spout of a closure system
according to the
invention. The elements of this embodiment essentially correspond to the
embodiments shown
on Fig. 1 to 7, so that reference is made to the description for Fig. I to 7
to avoid repetition. The
same or similar elements have been provided with identical reference numbers.
The difference in the embodiments depicted on Fig. 8 and 9 involves the design
of the threaded
segments 222, 228 of the snap-on pipe 220 on the one hand, and the
accompanying threaded
segments 622, 628 on the neck area 610 of the spout. The threaded segments 222
and 622
essentially run as shown in the embodiments depicted on Fig. 1 to 7, but
short, horizontally
running partial segments 228, 628 follow these threaded segments 222, 622,
which exhibit a
gradient.
These additional horizontally running threaded segments 228, 628 result in a
situation where,
even given a slight relative rotational motion of the dispensing closure 100,
no forced vertical
relative motion of the dispensing closure is generated in relation to the
spout. This ensures that
no axial movement of the dispensing closure will be caused by even a slight
relative rotational
motion, which can in part not be avoided owing to clearance and manufacturing
accuracies, which
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supports the attachment and tightness during the use of the dispensing closure
or closure system,
or a container with such a closure system.
The features disclosed in the above description, claims and drawings can be of
importance in
implementing the invention in its various embodiments, whether taken
individually or in any
combination.
